| This rear view of the CHS building at 15th and Green Streets shows the gothic-style construction of the building with its narrow arched windows and sharply peaked gabled roofs adorned with spires. The facility was built at a cost of $1,019,103 (School District of Philadelphia Report of the Secretary and Business Manager, 1938). CHS was centrally located six blocks north of City Hall, on the southwest corner of Broad and Green Streets, and convenient to PRT transportation. As the population migrated to the northeast and northwest sections of the city, it became apparent that a new facility would be needed- to meet the demands of the students and worthy of its illustrious alumni. The facility was to be modern in design and removed from the din and congestion of center city. At least two construction sites were considered. By 1935-36 the plans were being developed for a state-of-the-art facility to be located in the Ogontz section of the city. The story of the construction of and Dr. Haney's vision for the present CHS building begins at this point. From the installation of the first Superintendent of Schools, the goal of secondary school education in the city was "to stimulate the entire school system and to elevate all the schools to a higher plane of effort" (Labaree, 82)
By 1912, the Superintendent of Schools passed legislation to standardize the curriculum. City high schools were reorganized into a homogeneous pattern, submerging Central's unique identity into the mass of its peers...losing its uniqueness and its educational influence" (Labaree, 86), Photograph taken April 19, 1906. (Photo courtesy of www.phillyhistory.org) |
